Norway rat

noun

1. an Old World rat, Rattus norvegicus, having a grayish-brown body with whitish underparts and a long, scaly tail, now common in the U.S. in or near homes, barns, wharves, etc.

Norway rat

noun

1. another name for brown rat

Word History and Origins

Origin of Norway rat¹

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

Norway rats, a common household pest across the U.S., will often burrow beneath your home’s foundation and can consequently be found in basements, crawl spaces and other low-reaching areas of the house.

From Seattle Times

Brown rats, also known as Norway rats, have coexisted with humans for thousands of years and are prolific transmitters of human diseases.

From Los Angeles Times

There is the misnamed Norway rat — also called the brown, sewer or wharf rat — actually a native from northern China or Mongolia.

From Seattle Times

Even though brown rats are also called Norway rats, the geographical name’s not accurate.

From Washington Post

The average Norway rat can potentially jump vertically 3 feet, and horizontally 4 feet.

From Salon